Chaos is a word best use to describe what ensues at Johannesburg OR TAMBO Airport upon landing after an arduous ten-hour flight from London.
Johannesburg itself is a vibrant, energetic smorgasbord of sights, sounds, smells and tastes- a veritable melting pot of sensorial delights. If all this starts to become a tad overwhelming though, then you’ll find plenty of calm at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel.
Before it became a boutique hotel in 1997, Fairlawns was previously a ten-acre family home which had everything from stables, training rinks, cow, geese and dogs too. This warm, cosy atmosphere still permeates throughout the now luxury hotel which has won a slew of awards from best spa to best restaurants from the likes of TripAdvisor, Joburg Awards and Luxury Travel Guide.
We were greeted by the doorman ‘Doctor’ upon arrival to the hotel’s grand driveway. Interestingly we met a lot of South Africans during our stay whose names portrayed professions or virtues their parents wished upon them. We also met a lovely lady named ‘Patience’ and another called ‘Joyful’. Beyond their names – they were memorable of course due to their excellent service, which is something that this luxury hotel can certainly be proud of.
The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel is located in the sleepy suburbs of Sandton which is the Central Business District of Johannesburg and near to all its main cultural sites. The estate is made up of individually-designed suites that exude elegance and grandeur – with the Grand Chateau Suite the pièce de resistance of the whole estate.
We stayed in one of the Courtyard Suites, which wrap a picturesque colonial-style courtyard that is the perfect place for a stroll. Picture Palladian-inspired suites, high-ceilings, four-posted beds, French windows and sumptuous fabrics and textures and generously sized bathrooms.
The interiors are elegant but punchy. Unlike other luxury resorts who embrace a rainbow of neutral tones, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel embraces the rich colours and textures of Africa but with a French manor house touch. Victorian-inspired portraits, French chairs and a veritable greenhouse of orchids are dotted throughout the space creating an ambiance of eclectic sophistication.
The lobby opens up to the Manor House Bistro which blends indoor and outdoor dining spaces and opens up to the striking outdoor pool. The restaurant offers a creative menu filled with international dishes that are perfect for all day dining. This is also where the excellent breakfast is served.
While it wasn’t yet opened during our visit, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel has teamed up with French Champagne house Perrier-Jouet to offer guests a refined luxury Champagne experience in-house. The new space is inspired by nature and connects to the beautiful Courtyard – which is a great spot to enjoy some bubbles while watching the African sunset. Truly – finding a place like Fairlawns Boutique Hotel amidst the hustle and bustle of Joburg is a true rarity indeed.
A night at one of the Courtyard Suites at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel starts at R9,400 (£391) on a B&B basis. For more information visit https://fairlawns.co.za/
Tel: +27 (0) 11 808 7300
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